Hello everyone! As you may have noticed, we have a brand new Photo Contests forum! This forum will contain contests we intend to run on a monthly basis. There are sticky threads for the rules information, and an easy guide for how to post photos to the contest thread (and to all Offshore Only forums) -- so feel free to stop by, take a look, and submit your own photos!
Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the forum, and to the current month’s CONTEST THREAD for updates when new photos are added! Viewing our community’s great pet photos is a nice way to remember what it was like when we could all jump on a plane, and to anticipate when we can do so again.
June’s contest is Pet Photos. A nice big category to get us started. To enter, just go to the CONTEST THREAD and post a travel photo that you took. That’s it! Whoever’s photo gets the most “likes” that month gets a $25 Visa gift card. For legal reasons, you do need a US mailing address to be eligible to win, but anyone is welcome to post in the thread. Be sure to read the rules sticky for the other legal ins and outs.
Let’s get clicking!

One thing I’d love to see for the first leg of a run is dock slips blocked for poker run participants only. Several times we have left the start point to head to the first card stop only to find all the slips taken by people just wanting to watch the poker run arrive. I understand the business venues support the poker run and welcome the extra revenue but at least hold slips til the first leg of paid participants arrive. No sticker no parking. After the first group arrives at the stop parking could then be open to all.

My favorite Poker Runs are such that tend not to be "snooty" with certain cliques of boats and boaters that try and make their own private event DURING the bigger event. If everyone is there for a good time, we should do it together. The reason I bring this up, is this divides up the crowd, and since we don't get to do this ALL the time, keeping the bigger group together for the event is important in my book. IF a certain group wants to have a separate adjunct event, do so the day before or the day after.

Also, my favorite Poker Runs are such that engage the community outside of the Powerboat arena. No one does this better than Boyne Thunder that I have personally experienced. Poker Run for a Cure in Norfolk and the Key West Poker Run by Stu and the FPC also do this well, but not to the extreme of BT. Yes, this has to do with location and logistics. And you have to be careful with security and the unsavory folks that could show up in the wings. However, I do enjoy talking to folks that are not well versed in the sport; and sharing knowledge. Also, there is nothing better than taking a couple of non-attendee kids and letting them see the boat, sit/stand behind the wheel, and creating a few future boaters, just like happened to me when I sat on the bow of the 38' Scarab from Miami Vice in Chicago in the 80s.

I think it is one of the NJ runs that also couples their PR with a "rides" event or program. (Please someone correct me if I am wrong.) The one I recall reading about was a 'Rides for Veterans' or similar. Every year, I participate in "Rides from the Heart" which is put on by Kenneth Anderson and friends outside of Richmond, VA. It's for the benefit of ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. ASK CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION - Home The children AND their families are hosted for a day on the water, including boat rides, lunch, and a bunch of other activities. I think that coupling this with the above topic of bringing in the community and sharing our 'fortune' with those less fortunate is a golden opportunity for both sides.

Really hard to change anything from Boyne, they do everything great. The whole town caters to the event, what makes this so unique. Only caveat was no shuttle transport from poker run to lodge after drinking in the evening (they do have one, but very tough to arrange). Mostly just a result of the location/area. Call me a geek but those cooler bags from Boyne were an awesome present! Very usable, great product and thought. I also like nice host amenities when away from home, and any room blocks/discounts that can be had. The pre-event activities are nice for people that travel extra days and from further distances. Some of us budget 4-5 days for these events, so if we can meet other boaters prior to the main event, makes it more enjoyable.

Nashville Run is very casual and well organized, has the comradery feel to it. Two very different runs (I have limited experience) Both do it well for what they are. The marinas do a very good job of hosting and keeping docks cleared for participants.

Dan, you're starting to sound like Tim, who remains in a 20 mile bubble all season.

I would say having adequate dock or assigned spots for participants would be a great thing (especially if they pre-register), I hate having to come in early and having to worry if I'm going to get a spot at the host marina for the evening or for overnight. Which goes along with what "QWKRN U" had said about the poker run stops as well.